Razor sterilizer



Nov. 14, 1967 lscH ET AL 3,352,630

RAZOR STERILIZER Filed Jan. 14, 1964 2 SheetsSheet l Fig. 6

George A. Fischer Roberf H. Ricciardi I N VEN TORS BY W Nov. 14, 1967 A FISCHER ET AL 3,352,630

RAZOR STERILIZER Filed Jan. 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'IIIIIIIIIIMIIII'IIIIIIIIIIJ George A. ischer Roberf H. Ricciara'i I-NVENTORS United States Patent 3,352,630 RAZQR STERILIZER George A. Fischer, 2261 Broadmoor, Palm Springs, Calif. 92262, and Robert H. Ricciardi, 744339 Aster Drive, Palm Desert, Calif. 92260 Filed Jan. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 337,599 Claims. (Cl. 21-90) ABSTRACT OF THE DISQLOSURE A receptacle for storing a razor in a vertical position with the blade mounting head immersed in a sterilizing solution. The receptacle is placed in a horizontal position for removal of the razor therefrom by opening a lid. The sterilizing solution is stored within an internal pocket when the receptacle is in the horizontal position to avoid leakage.

This invention relates to a new and useful sterilizer for safety razors or the like.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a convenient and simple method for maintaining safety razors or similar instruments in a sterile condition utilizing structure of comparable simplicity to presently available razor-carrying or storage cases.

Another object of the present invention is to provide facilities for rendering a razor sterile immediately prior to use while at the same time increasing the useful life of the razor instrument.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the sterilizer of the present invention involves a razor-carrying enclosure within which a razor is held in a predetermined position so that when the enclosure is displaced to one of two stabilized positions thereof, the head portion of the razor will be immersed in a liquid solution containing various ingredients including a sterilizing medum and a rust inhibitor. When the enclosure is displaced to its other stabilized storing position, the liquid solution will be confined out of contact with the razor so that the enclosure may be opened for removal thereof. The liquid solution may therefore be confined within a storage chamber portion of a pocket structure with the enclosure in a generally horizontal stabilized position. Displacement of the enclosure to a generally vertical stabilized position will therefore cause the liquid solution to enter a soaking chamber portion of the pocket structure which projects into the chamber in enclosing relation to the head portion of the razor. The razor head portion is thereby submerged within the liquid solution in order to sterilize this portion of the razor prior to use. The pocket structure is so arranged that the liquid solution will not leak therefrom and may also be associated with a syringe-type of storage bulb by means of which the liquid solution is selectively discharged into the storage chamber portion of the pocket structure or withdrawn therefrom so that the sterilizer may be suitable for carrying without any danger of liquid solution leakage.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the razor sterilizer with the closure lid removed.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the razor sterilizer shown supported in its storage position.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the razor sterilizer shown in its other stabilized position for sterilizing the razor.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 44 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the razor sterilizer.

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through a modified form of razor sterilizer.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be observed from FIGURES l and 2, that the sterilizer generally referred to by reference numeral 19 includes an enclosure generally referred to by reference numeral 12 within which a safety razor 14 is stored. The enclosure 12 includes an elongated base portion 16 from which a pair of side portions 18 extend upwardly so as to receive therebetween a transparent closure lid 20. The base portion 16 and the lid 20 may be made of a suitable plastic material. As shown in FIGURE 2, the enclosure 12 is supported in a generally horizontal position by means of a pair of legs 22 extending downwardly from the base portion 16 adjacent the end 24 thereof and by a pocket structure connected to the enclosure and extending thereinto generally referred to by reference numeral 26. The closure lid 20 is hingedly mounted by the base portion 16 adjacent the end 28 thereof. Toward this end, the closure lid is provided with a flat end portion 30 from which a pair of laterally extending pivot projections 32 project into apertures 34 formed in the sides 18 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 5. The opposite end portion 36 of the closure lid is provided with a lock tab 38 so that it may be received within a slot 40 in the base portion 16 adjacent the end 24 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 6. It will therefore be apparent, that the closure lid 20 may be pivotally displaced upwardly from the position illustrated in FIGURE 2 for removal of the razor 14 housed within the enclosure.

The razor 14 is supported within the enclosure 12 in a predetermined relation thereto. Toward this end, a seat member 42 is mounted on the base portion 16 and projects upwardly therefrom for supporting the shank portion 44 of the razor as more clearly seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. Accordingly, the head portion 46 of the razor will be disposed closer to the end 28 of the enclosure so that it may be enclosed within the pocket structure 26.

The pocket structure 26 is connected to the underside of the base portion 16 of the enclosure and extends laterally therebelow intermediate the sides 13 a sufficient distance so as to project beyond the lateral extension of the head portion 46 of the razor supported Within the enclosure. The pocket structure includes a storage chamber portion 48 disposed below the base portion 16 of the enclosure when supported in its generally horizontal storage position illustrated in FIGURE 2. Extending upwardly and at an angle to the storage chamber portion 48, is a soaking chamber portion 50. The soaking chamber portion therefore includes a curved wall section 52 which projects through an opening formed in the base portion 16 and encloses the head portion 46 therewithin.

The storage chamber portion 48 of the pocket structure is adapted to confine therewithin a predetermined volume of a liquid solution 54. The liquid solution may be made up of various ingredients including sterilizing chemicals and rust inhibitor as well as ingredients that will dislodge accumulations of soap deposits in the working parts of the razor. One exemplary formula for such a solution is given in the following chart:

Solution Benzalkonium chloride concentrated 1:750 fluid oz 1 Anti-rust tablets tablets 16 Each tablet:

Sodium carbonate gm 1.16 Sodium nitrite gm 0.5 Blue food coloring drops Water gallon 1 As will be observed from FIGURE 2, when the sterilizer 10 is in the storage position, the volume of liquid solution 54 will be out of contact with the razor and will also be so confined within the pocket structure so as to avoid leakage thereof from the enclosure. Just prior to removal of the razor for use, the enclosure may be displaced to a generally vertical stabilized position illustrated in FIGURE 3, the enclosure then being supported by the end 28 of the base portion and the end portion 30 of the closure lid. With the enclosure so disposed, the liquid solution 54 will fill the soaking chamber portion 48 of the pocket structure which encloses the head portion 46 of the razor. Accordingly, the head portion of the razor will be submerged within the liquid solution so that it may act thereon as hereinbefore indicated. The enclosure may then be returned to its generally horizontal position illustrated'in FIGURE 2 after which the closure lid 20 is opened so that the razor may be removed for use.

In one embodiment of the invention, the razor sterilizer may also be associated with a resilient storage syringe 56 disposed below the base portion 16 and connected to the storage chamber portion 48 of the pocket structure 26. The liquid 54 within the storage chamber portion 48 may therefore be withdrawn into the storage syringe 56 by squeezing thereof and then releasing it. A leak-proof storage of the liquid 54- is thereby eifected so that the sterilizer may be safely carried about without danger of liquid spillage or leakage. The liquid may be discharged into the storage chamber portion 48 subsequently when the sterilizer is ready for use. It should of course be appreciated, that the storage syringe 56 may be eliminated completely as shown for example in FIGURE 7 wherein the wall portion 58 of the pocket structure is completely closed.

From the foregoing description, the construction, operation and utility of the razor sterilizer will be apparent. The storage of the razor instrument in the sterilizer en closure of the present invention containing the aforementioned liquid solution therein, will make available to users, a sterile instrument. It will therefore be appreciated, that the device of the present invention will promote a much higher degree of facial hygiene and will be of particular interest to persons readily susceptible to skin infections. The useful life of the razor instrument will also be prolonged because of the rust-inhibiting qualities of the solution within which the razor is submerged for the primary sterilizing purpose. The solution will also prevent the build-up of soap deposits in the working parts of the razor so as to maintain its operational efficiency. It will also be appreciated, that the solution utilized will retain its functional characteristics for a prolonged period of time and will be stored within the sterilizer without leakage and even carried without danger of leakage when utilizing the storage syringe feature.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A sterilizer for a safety razor or the like comprising an enclosure having means for stabilized support thereof in two positions, means within said enclosure for holding the razor in predetermined relation to the enclosure, pocket means mounted on the enclosure and adapted to contain a predetermined volume of a liquid solution for submerging a portion of the razor therein only when the enclosure is in one of said two positions.

2. The combination of claim 1 including resilient storage means operatively connected to the pocket means for selectively discharging said liquid solution into the pocket means and withdrawing the liquid solution therefrom.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a base portion on which the razor-holding means is mounted, a closure lid mounted on the base portion for enclosing the razor, said base portion being pro vided with an opening adjacent one end of the enclosure through which the pocket means extends for enclosing a portion of the razor therein.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said pocket means includes a storage chamber portion disposed outside of the enclosure for holding the liquid solution confined therein when the enclosure is in the other of said two positions and a soaking chamber portion extending into the enclosure at an angle to the storage chamber portion for holding the liquid solution confined therein when the enclosure is in said one of the two positions.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pocket means includes a storage chamber portion disposed outside of the enclosure for holding the liquid solution confined therein when the enclosure is in the other of said two positions and a soaking chamber portion extending into the enclosure at an angle to the storage chamber portion for holding the liquid solution confined therein when the enclosure is in said one of the two positions. 5

6. The combination of claim 5 including resilient storage means operatively connected to the storage chamber portion of the pocket means for selectively discharging said liquid solution into the pocket means and withdrawing the liquid solution therefrom.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said liquid solution includes rust inhibitor and sterilizing ingredients.

8. The combination of claim 7 including resilient storage means operatively connected to the pocket means for selectively discharging said liquid solution into the pocket means and withdrawing the liquid solution therefrom.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said enclosure comprises a base portion on which the razor-holding means is mounted, a closure lid mounted on the base portion for enclosing the razor, said base portion being provided with an opening adjacent one end of the enclosure through which the pocket means extends for enclosing a portion of the razor therein.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said pocket means includes a storage chamber portion disposed outside of the enclosure for holding the liquid solution. confined therein when the enclosure is in the other of said two positions and a soaking chamber portion extending into the enclosure at an angle to the storage chamber portion for holding the liquid solution confined therein when the enclosure is in said one of the two positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,981,853 11/1934 Bruce 21-90 2,443,495 6/ 1948 DeTuesta 219O 2,551,859 5/1951 Thompson 21-84 JOSEPH SCOVRONEK, Acting Primary Examiner. MORRIS O. WOLK, Examiner. R. M. REESE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A STERILIZER FOR A SAFETY RAZOR OR THE LIKE COMPRISING AN EXCLOSURE HAVING MEANS FOR STABILIZED SUPPORT THEREOF IN TWO POSITION, MEANS WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR HOLDING THE RAZOR IN PREDETERMINED RELATIONS TO THE ENCLOSURE, POCKET MEANS MOUNTED ON THE ENCLOSURE AND ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A PREDETERMINED VOLUME OF A LIQUID SOLUTION FOR SUBMERGING A PORTION OF THE RAZOR THEREIN ONLY WHEN THE ENCLOSURE IS IN ONE OF SAID TWO POSITIONS. 